play hardball

Idioms  

1. Act aggressively and ruthlessly, as in It's only a month before the election, and I'm sure they'll start to play hardball. This term originated in baseball, where it alludes to using the standard ball as opposed to the slightly larger and minimally softer ball of softball. It was transferred to describe aggressive behavior only in the 1970s.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

play hardball

So, with the deal expected to close in the fall, county officials decided to play hardball.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 31, 2026

“It’s not about whether we play hardball anymore. It’s about how we play hardball,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said on a press call Wednesday.

From Salon ● Aug. 20, 2025

“I’m not going to say, ‘oh, I’m going to play hardball with China,’” Trump said Tuesday.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 23, 2025

My husband wants to play hardball and just go the traditional way and pay for the reception dinner.

From Slate ● Aug. 14, 2023

She didn’t want to have to play hardball, but here goes.

From "A Heart in a Body in the World" by Deb Caletti